Browns are starting to build some momentum

Halfway through the season, the Browns have won half as many games as they did in 2011, before anyone in Cleveland ever heard of Jimmy Haslam III.

The Browns were 3-3 after six games last year and 1-9 the rest of the way. They are 2-6 this season after a 0-5 start.

Haslam was awarded a game ball in the locker room Sunday after the Browns beat the Chargers, 7-6, in the cold, wind and rain at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The new Browns owner emerged clutching that ball tightly in his left hand and shaking hands of well-wishers with his right. Moments earlier, he held up the ball and talked to the players who are eager to please him.

"Since I've been here it's just been 'We're happy we got a win, OK -- phew,'" tight end Alex Smith, in his third year with the Browns, said Monday in the locker room. "Now we're developing a culture. We're just trying to keep on this path of (going up).

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"I think it hit home even more when (Haslam) came in and talked to us. That was pretty much the bottom line. He said, 'I'm about winning. Whoever's on board, we'll be good.' That was kind of awakening everybody -- it's go time. Of course we were already aware of that, but to hear that from the big guy puts a little more effort into it. Even after the game ball, he said, 'You know what, let's get greedy and get another win.' That was his final message to us and that's where everybody is right now.'"

At the end of the season, Haslam will determine the fate of Coach Pat Shurmur and the coaching staff as well as the front office.

The atmosphere in the locker room is different than it was a year ago. In 2011, no one knew what was going on in Peyton Hillis' head. The players all believe in rookie running back Trent Richardson and they believe brighter days are ahead because of rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden, rookie receiver Josh Gordon, the young linebackers and defensive line. Twenty-seven players on the roster have played less than two full seasons.

"Obviously, record-wise we're not where I want to be right now," Shurmur said Monday. "But I see a team that's battling. I see a team that's with me every step of the way. And they believe in their coaches. And I see a team that's improving. I'm hopeful we're going to continue to make those improvements and win a heck of a lot of games."

The 0-5 start put the Browns in a deep hole. Had Gordon not dropped a sure pass in Indianapolis, they might be riding a three-game winning streak into their game with the Ravens on Sunday. The Browns caught a break of their own against the Chargers when Robert Meachem dropped a ball that should have resulted in a San Diego touchdown.

"We function better as a team (since the first game)," Shurmur said. "Our young skilled players on offense are better, and we're getting production. We've won two games in the last three weeks. So let's call it for what it is.

"We're getting some defensive players back (cornerback Joe Haden, defensive tackle Phil Taylor, defensive Ahtyba Rubin, linebacker James-Michael Johnson) that will help us. If you function better and you're playing better and you win a couple games and you're getting some players back that can help you win, that helps me stay positive."

Beating Baltimore would be a huge step for the Browns. They have lost nine straight games to the Ravens.